C H A P T E R 6 Youth Sport Chapter 6 Youth Sport

Chapter Outline History of youth sport Sponsors of youth sport Privatization of youth sport Current status of youth sport Organized youth sport (continued)

Chapter Outline (continued) Why kids participate—and stop participating—in sport Burnout in youth sport Reforms for youth sport Chapter summary

Historical Development of Youth Sport Expanded from lower-class activity (before WWII) to include all social classes. Little League baseball began in 1939. Majority of sport was geared toward boys until the 1970s. Evolved from child-centered “play” to organized sport. (continued)

Historical Development of Youth Sport (continued) Title IX (1972) increased girls’ participation. Family and societal factors affect popularity. Both parents working outside home Fear of child predators Safe haven for inner-city kids Specialized training

Sponsors of Youth Sport Community and parks programs (local recreation centers) Community organizations such as YMCAs Nonprofit sport organizations Corporate sponsors: national, regional, local Commercial sport and fitness clubs Private organizations that rent private facilities

Discussion What is the difference between the traditional youth sport model (focused on learning the rules and being competitive) and the i9 Sports model?

Long-Term Athlete Development Plan Sets a program for training, competition, and recovery based on developmental age. Children develop needed fundamental movement and motor skills. For more information, see table 6.1.

Privatization of Youth Sport Funding for public youth sport has been decreased. Entrepreneurs see money in competitive travel teams and private coaching. Popular services include summer camps, private lessons, and sport academies.

Discussion Parents can send a child to the IMG Academy for $50,000 per year in search of a college scholarship or pro career. Discuss this phenomenon from a critical perspective.

Current Status of Youth Sport About half of U.S. children participate in youth sport. Team sport participation peaks at age 11. More than 70% of U.S. kids drop out of youth sport before high school. High school youth not on the school team drop out of athletics unless they can access nonprivatized recreational leagues.

Why Do Children Drop Out? Increased pressure to win due to overemphasis on winning Stress on high performance Participation expenses Risk of injury Participation in alternative sports Lack of training for youth coaches

Discussion About half of youth drop out of organized sport. How could we design a study to find out whether they drop out altogether or begin participating in other types of sport?

Gender Differences Boys enter sport sooner than girls. Girls drop out sooner than boys. About 80% of urban girls and 64% of rural girls have no physical education class in the 11th and 12th grades. The figure is lower (48%) for suburban girls.

Does Sport Matter? More than 80% of executive business women participated in organized sport in middle and high school. Girls of color have a lower participation rate than Caucasian girls.

Issues To Consider Increase in overweight and obesity among youth Increasing costs of sport Rise of extreme sports

Explosion of Extreme or Action Sports 600% increase since 1990 X Games now mainstream Not a fad!

Changes in Sport Preference Participation has decreased in baseball and football. Participation has increased in lacrosse, rugby, ice hockey, gymnastics, and beach volleyball. Basketball has the highest participation rates for both girls and boys.

Organized Youth Sport Athlete-organized sport Adult-organized sport Pickup games run by players Participation declining over the past 20 years Adult-organized sport Sports and leagues run by parents, coaches, and organizations Participation increasing

Athlete-Organized Sport Lots of action for all players Flexible rules Time with friends Freedom from adult interference or criticism Results soon forgotten

Discussion What are some benefits of athlete-organized sport?

Key Points Adult-organized sport has increased as youth-organized sport has decreased. Adult-organized sport can do harm due to lack of knowledge about safety, healthy competition, and kids’ emotional needs. Parental involvement that is balanced and positive helps athletes gain more from sport.

Adult-Organized Sport Focuses on skill development and proper positioning. Reinforces conformity through strict rules and strategies. Adults choose competition level, arbitrate rule infractions, and determine who plays and where.

Why Kids Participate in Sport For fun! To learn and improve skills To exercise and stay in shape To do something they are good at To experience the excitement and challenge of competition To hang out with friends

Discussion What are some of the main reasons that children give for dropping out of sport?

Burnout in Youth Sport Excessive stress related to game outcomes, performance anxiety, and low self-esteem Early specialization in one sport Dropping out because sport is no longer fun Poorly trained coaches Unrealistic parental expectations

Reforms for Youth Sport Bill of Rights for Young Athletes National Council of Youth Sports National Standards for Youth Sports (from the National Alliance for Youth Sports) Educational programs for players, officials, coaches, and parents Good sporting behavior and less pressure

Figure 6.3

Discussion What suggestions do you have for reform in youth sport? Explain your reasoning.